The American Mathematics Competitions, also known as AMC, are organized by the Mathematical Association of America. Since their launch in 1950, the AMC series has become one of the most trusted math assessments worldwide. AMC results are recognized by schools and universities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries.
In entrance exams for international schools, math papers may also include AMC-style questions. For example, some advanced math entrance papers used by selective international schools in Shanghai and other major cities have included questions similar to or adapted from AMC problems. Students who have not studied AMC-style math may find it difficult to achieve high scores.
In the AMC 10 and AMC 12 competitions, the A paper and B paper are two common versions of the exam. Although they are very similar in many ways, there are still some differences.
This article uses AMC 10A and AMC 10B as examples to explain the key differences and how students should choose between them.
First: AMC A and B Papers Have the Same Academic Value
Students should first understand that there is no difference in academic value between the A paper and the B paper.
The main differences lie in testing date and question distribution. Students should choose based on their own preparation schedule, target score and competition plan.
1. AMC 10A vs AMC 10B: Topic Coverage
The AMC 10 tests mathematical content generally covered in grades 9 and 10. Major topics include algebra, geometry, number theory and probability. It does not include trigonometry, advanced algebra, advanced geometry or calculus.
Sample Topic Distribution of AMC 10A and AMC 10B
| Question | AMC 10A Topic | AMC 10A Content | Difficulty | AMC 10B Topic | AMC 10B Content | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algebra | Basic calculation | Easy | Algebra | Counting | Easy |
| 2 | Algebra | Equation | Easy | Geometry | Pythagorean theorem | Easy |
| 3 | Algebra | Equation | Easy | Combinatorics | Counting | Easy |
| 4 | Algebra | Equation | Easy | Algebra | Calculation | Easy |
| 5 | Geometry | Pythagorean theorem and equation solving | Easy | Algebra | Calculation | Easy |
| 6 | Algebra | Absolute value calculation | Easy | Number Theory | Divisibility | Medium |
| 7 | Number Theory | GCD and LCM | Easy | Algebra | Vieta’s formulas | Medium |
| 8 | Algebra | Average and equations | Easy | Number Theory | Divisibility | Medium |
| 9 | Permutation | Order arrangement | Medium | Algebra | Calculation | Medium |
| 10 | Geometry | Pythagorean theorem and equation solving | Medium | Algebra | Calculation | Medium |
| 11 | Algebra | Exponential functions and equations | Medium | Logic | Formal logic | Medium |
| 12 | Logic | Simple logic and formal logic | Medium | Combinatorics | Probability | Hard |
| 13 | Geometry | Triangle angles, lines and similarity | Medium | Algebra | Systems of equations | Hard |
| 14 | Permutation | Grouping | Hard | Algebra | Geometry-related algebra | Hard |
| 15 | Geometry | Applications of sine and cosine rules | Hard | Algebra | Sequences | Hard |
| 16 | Algebra | Equations and Vieta’s formulas | Hard | Geometry | Pythagorean theorem | Hard |
| 17 | Number Theory | Decimal and fraction conversion | Hard | Number Theory | Modular arithmetic | Hard |
| 18 | Number Theory | Modular arithmetic and geometric reflection | Very Hard | Combinatorics | Case analysis | Very Hard |
| 19 | Number Theory | Modular arithmetic applications | Very Hard | Combinatorics | Rotational counting | Very Hard |
| 20 | Algebra | Arithmetic and geometric sequences with systems of equations | Very Hard | Geometry | Cyclic quadrilateral | Very Hard |
| 21 | Geometry | Solid geometry and skew line parallelism | Very Hard | Algebra | Systems of equations | Very Hard |
| 22 | Permutation | Number insertion | Very Hard | Geometry | Analytic geometry | Very Hard |
| 23 | Geometry | Analytic geometry and lines | Very Hard | Combinatorics | Probability | Very Hard |
| 24 | Permutation | Case analysis applications | Extremely Hard | Algebra | Absolute value functions | Extremely Hard |
| 25 | Algebra | Indeterminate equations and Pell equation basics | Extremely Hard | Number Theory | Binary calculation | Extremely Hard |
Average difficulty: AMC 10A around 2.56, AMC 10B around 2.48.
From the topic distribution, we can see that the AMC 10A and AMC 10B papers are highly similar in content. Their difficulty levels are also generally comparable.
2. AMC 10A vs AMC 10B: Score Cutoffs
| Year | Paper | Honor Roll of Distinction | Honor Roll | AIME Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AMC 10A | 136.5 | 112.5 | 105 |
| 2025 | AMC 10B | 133.5 | 105 | 99 |
| 2024 | AMC 10A | 132 | 105 | 94.5 |
| 2024 | AMC 10B | 138 | 114 | 105 |
| 2023 | AMC 10A | 136.5 | 111 | 103.5 |
| 2023 | AMC 10B | 135 | 112.5 | 105 |
| 2022 | AMC 10A | 121.5 | 100.5 | 93 |
| 2022 | AMC 10B | 114 | 100.5 | 94.5 |
The cutoff scores for AMC 10A and AMC 10B differ slightly each year, but there is no consistent pattern showing that one paper is always easier or harder.
The reason is that the two papers do not have an absolute difficulty distinction. The topic distribution and difficulty balance vary from year to year.
One clear trend is that the AIME qualification and top-score cutoffs have generally risen in recent years. For example, the Honor Roll of Distinction cutoff increased from 121.5 in 2022 to 136.5 in 2025 on the AMC 10A, rising by 15 points over three years.
How Should Students Choose Between AMC 10A and AMC 10B?
The AMC 10A and AMC 10B papers do not differ significantly in difficulty. The biggest difference is the exam date. The two papers are usually held about one week apart.
Recommended Choices
| Student Goal | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Students aiming to qualify for AIME | Take both AMC 10A and AMC 10B to gain one extra scoring opportunity |
| Students aiming for a high AMC 12 score or higher-level competition pathway | Consider taking one AMC 10 paper and one AMC 12 paper |
| Students who want to maximize their AMC 10 score | Take both AMC 10A and AMC 10B if allowed |
| Students with limited time | Choose the paper that best fits their schedule and preparation progress |
Possible Exam Combinations
| Combination | Description |
|---|---|
| AMC 10A + AMC 10B | Take AMC 10 twice |
| AMC 12A + AMC 12B | Take AMC 12 twice |
| AMC 10A + AMC 12B | Take AMC 10 first, then AMC 12 |
| AMC 12A + AMC 10B | Take AMC 12 first, then AMC 10 |
Final Advice
There is no major difference in academic value or overall difficulty between AMC 10A and AMC 10B.
Students should focus less on guessing which paper is easier and more on strengthening their core knowledge and competition skills. A strong AMC 10 preparation plan should include algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, timed practice, past paper review and error analysis.
For students aiming to qualify for AIME, taking both A and B papers is usually the best strategy because it provides one more chance to achieve the target score.
